Spinal column retaining apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided to retain elements of the spine or pelvis or both in a desired spatial relationship. A plurality of fasteners are connected with a plurality of the elements. A longitudinal member is connected with that fasteners by a plurality of connector members. The longitudinal members and fasteners are movable relative to each other to adjust the distance between the longitudinal member and fasteners to thereby obtain the desired spatial relationship. Clamps are engaged to hold the longitudinal member, fasteners, and connector members against relative movement. To provide for adjustability, oblong openings are formed in the connector members. The fasteners have a plurality of tapered washers to create variable angles between the axis of the fastener and the axis of the oblong opening.

Having described the invention, the following is claimed: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use in retaining spinal elements in a desired spatial relationship, said apparatus comprising a fastener having a first end portion with thread means for engaging a spinal element and a second end portion, a longitudinal member which is positionable along the spinal column, and connector means for interconnecting said longitudinal member and said fastener, said connector means including a connector member having first surface means for defining a first opening through which said longitudinal member extends, said first opening having a central axis which extends along at least a portion of said longitudinal member, first clamp means for holding said longitudinal member and connector member against movement relative to each other, said connector member having second surface means for defining an oblong second opening through which said second end portion of said fastener extends, said oblong second opening having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the central axis of said first opening, said connector member being movable relative to said fastener through a range of movement along the longitudinal axis of said oblong second opening, means for positioning said fastener with the axis of said fastener at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said oblong second opening, and second clamp means for holding said fastener and connector member against movement relative to each other. 
     
     
       2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said fastener with the axis of said fastener at an angle to the axis of said second oblong opening includes a pair of identical washers through which said fastener extends, each of said washers including a first side surface and second side surface extending at an angle to said first side surface. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for use in retaining spinal elements in a desired spatial relationship, said apparatus comprising: a fastener having a threaded end portion for engaging a spinal element;   a longitudinal member positionable along the spinal column;   a connector member for interconnecting said fastener and said longitudinal member, said connector member including a mounting section with surface means for defining an oblong opening through which said fastener extends, the oblong opening enabling the distance between said fastener and said longitudinal member to be varied; and   a pair of identical washers through which said fastener extends, said washers engaging on opposite sides of said mounting section, each of said washers having a first side surface and a second side surface extending at an angle to said first side surface.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the opening in said mounting section tapers from one side of said mounting section to the other side of said mounting section. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further including a nut engageable with said fastener to clamp said washers and said fastener to said connector member.